JonR
Well-known
New rumor about a digital Nikon Rangefinder at www.nikonrumors.com, see that site for the full information but in short.... Not that I believe it but you never know...
/jon
Nikon SD digital rangefinder
By [NR] admin | October 24, 2008
This is an anonymous rumor I got from Japan - there is no way to verify the credibility of the source, but Nikon has done some limited edition series in the past (non-digital):
Nikon SD:
/jon
Nikon SD digital rangefinder
By [NR] admin | October 24, 2008
This is an anonymous rumor I got from Japan - there is no way to verify the credibility of the source, but Nikon has done some limited edition series in the past (non-digital):
Nikon SD:
- FF (35mm) digital rangefinder
- Sensor/processing out of the D3
- Full titanium interior/exterior body
- Very compact/light - built for low light/discreet/art work
- Retro styling, think SP meets 28ti meets.. Giugiaro
- Very limited edition, 10,000 in total, 6.000 for domestic market ONLY. Strictly collector’s item (huge market here)
- Only available as a kit with 31/1.8, 50/1.5 and 90/1.8
- Possibly/likely separately a f/1.0/50mm at even more limited numbers and insane price level
- Prices? mad… this is not a photographic tool, this is luxury. Expected to be close to US $13,000 for the ‘normal’ set but rumored to be a Leica killer in optical performance and handling
- Same 1/1 viewfinder principle as the SP rangefinder
- Center weighed or spot metering, manual and Av only
- NEF RAW and Tiff. Jpg unsure….
- Same High ISO performance as D3
RF-Addict
Well-known
This makes no sense whatsoever. If, Nikon introduced a digital RF it would not be for collectors only - it is way too expensive to develop such a camera to limit it to a small series. This is just rumour - nothing else.
JonR
Well-known
italy74
Well-known
Well...
I also read about it and of course I can't dream of it for a price of 13,000$... but the camera would be indeed nice if true. Maybe Nikon is thinking to invest part of what it's earning somewhere else for a niche project? In don't know there, but here is happening a strange thing that they could have spotted.
A recent research showed in Italy that while "common" holidays and vacation (that is those under 1,000-2,000€) are lowering year by year, very expensive ones ( > 5,000 - 10,000€) are increasing y/y. This is for sure due to all the speculation done on the Euro so that while common people has less money to spend, already rich ones have more. If Leica M8 can now become a possible item with a "larger" potential market, maybe Nikon could have more possibilities to gain buyers from the same market too.
Luxury here seems not having too much decrease, lately.
I also read about it and of course I can't dream of it for a price of 13,000$... but the camera would be indeed nice if true. Maybe Nikon is thinking to invest part of what it's earning somewhere else for a niche project? In don't know there, but here is happening a strange thing that they could have spotted.
A recent research showed in Italy that while "common" holidays and vacation (that is those under 1,000-2,000€) are lowering year by year, very expensive ones ( > 5,000 - 10,000€) are increasing y/y. This is for sure due to all the speculation done on the Euro so that while common people has less money to spend, already rich ones have more. If Leica M8 can now become a possible item with a "larger" potential market, maybe Nikon could have more possibilities to gain buyers from the same market too.
Luxury here seems not having too much decrease, lately.
rbsinto
Well-known
This must be the second Nikon digital rangefinder they're bringing out. You know, after the first one that everyone was so positive was being introduced at Photokina.
Boys, once again, first we'll see. And then we'll know.
Boys, once again, first we'll see. And then we'll know.
user237428934
User deletion pending
A digital camera for collectors only is easy. Just omit the sensor.
Avotius
Some guy
Why bother with the camera at all? Just give them a box with a brick in it, they never will open the damn thing anyway...
MichaelW
Established
What happened to the medium format digital RF that was aimed at wedding photographers?
maddoc
... likes film again.
I am keen to see the "Leica killer" in optical performance...
Nh3
Well-known
NIKON KIU
Did you say Nippon Kogaku
snegron
Established
I wouldn't doubt it. How many collector rangefinders has Nikon introduced since their last official production stopped shortly after the F was introduced? Nikon has produced several limited edition collector cameras, both rangefinders and SLR's over the past 20 years.
Yes, I was one of those hoping that Nikon was going to introduce a digital rangefinder at Photokina, but I was sadly let down. Although I would love to see a Nikon digital rangefinder, I will not be able to shell out $13,000.00 for one. So, I guess I will have to set my hopes with Bessa instead. They took the risk of producing film rangefinders while the rest of the planet was buying DSLR's, so I hope that they produce an R4-D someday.
ZeissFan
Veteran
I would never say "never," but one thing is 99% certain: At this price, there is no chance it will end up in my bag.
Also, the anonymous source is just as reliable as "my uncle knows someone who works at [Company X], and they said ..."
Sadly, just because you can say something doesn't make it true. One of the many failings of the Internet and so-called experts.
Also, the anonymous source is just as reliable as "my uncle knows someone who works at [Company X], and they said ..."
Sadly, just because you can say something doesn't make it true. One of the many failings of the Internet and so-called experts.
RF-Addict
Well-known
The R&D for a traditional film based RF is ridiculously small compared to a FF digital RF. Nikon would have to invest tens of millions of dollars to overcome the issues of a FF sensor and the lens design for RFs. If ever such a camera existed (and I am really not sure that it will any time soon) then it would have to find a much bigger audience than those few collectors. I am convinced that this is only a sad rumour.
snegron
Established
Not to start a Nikon vs. Leica (or Contax) war, but there are already digital rangefinders on the market (Leica M8 and Epson's RD-1), so all Nikon would have to do is copy and modify the designs as it did with its original film rangefinder series.
As far as full frame goes, I would not see that as a problem if Nikon changes to a new lens mount instead of trying to revive the S mount. For that matter, Nikon could team up with Zeiss (better known as Cossina) and have them produce an exclusive new lens line up for the new rangefinder. If these new lenses have the Zeiss name stamped on them, most people will think they are quality optics.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
It doesn't sound realistic but all the chatter goes towards influencing the manufacturers to make some sort of digital rangefinder.
Personally I think if they were going to do something like this, it would be a very modern compact with an APS sensor, high ISO capabilities, and auto-focus with manual override, and 3-4 dedicated f/2 - f/3.5 lenses like 16-24-35-50.
Let's just hope they don't copy the Contax G....
I'd prefer a real rangefinder and a really clear, clean, simple finder. I doubt they are capable of doing that.
Personally I think if they were going to do something like this, it would be a very modern compact with an APS sensor, high ISO capabilities, and auto-focus with manual override, and 3-4 dedicated f/2 - f/3.5 lenses like 16-24-35-50.
Let's just hope they don't copy the Contax G....
I'd prefer a real rangefinder and a really clear, clean, simple finder. I doubt they are capable of doing that.
larmarv916
Well-known
As much as I enjoy all the speculation..the current dramatic reversal in the currency markets will make the possibility of anything new coming to market to be delayed. With the Yen heading towards the trading levels that occurred during the 1987 decline. The cost of any japan based product with the yen at current levels...not likely. As or the Euro or better know as the comet that crashed to earth. The Euro has given back almost 5 years of gains in just a few months. The Pound sterling is under real pressure Friday it got as low as 1.53 to the dollar before a intraday bounce up. any company releasing products now is just asking to get there corporate ass kicked !
Where will the customers come from to by any of these ultra expensive toys?
The key phrase is global recession. Do I like it no but it is a reality.
All the best.....Laurance
Where will the customers come from to by any of these ultra expensive toys?
The key phrase is global recession. Do I like it no but it is a reality.
All the best.....Laurance
italy74
Well-known
Ciao Laurance
I have no idea about the financial market but I agree with you about the "global recession". However, as i pointed above, in my country ultra expensive items look having some kind of better luck than commoner ones. Rich ones are richer and poor ones are poorer. Since the seconds are way more than the formers, it's said to be global recession but as usual someone just doesn't care of it. Just to give you a sample, how tradesmen became richer during these years: a coffee which costed 0.7 - 0.8 € in 2001, in 2002 it automatically became 1€ "just to round things". And this is the simplest sample. Imagine all the rest. A clothes seller candidly admitted that what he purchased for our ex 20.000 itl and then resell for 40.000 itl (ex italian lires) with the euro it passed straightly from 20 € (about 40.000 itl) to 40€ (80.000) so the same item in one week or so later costed exactly twice than before.
I have no idea about the financial market but I agree with you about the "global recession". However, as i pointed above, in my country ultra expensive items look having some kind of better luck than commoner ones. Rich ones are richer and poor ones are poorer. Since the seconds are way more than the formers, it's said to be global recession but as usual someone just doesn't care of it. Just to give you a sample, how tradesmen became richer during these years: a coffee which costed 0.7 - 0.8 € in 2001, in 2002 it automatically became 1€ "just to round things". And this is the simplest sample. Imagine all the rest. A clothes seller candidly admitted that what he purchased for our ex 20.000 itl and then resell for 40.000 itl (ex italian lires) with the euro it passed straightly from 20 € (about 40.000 itl) to 40€ (80.000) so the same item in one week or so later costed exactly twice than before.
yanidel
Well-known
This is what Italy is about !!!
Yet your comments are correct, the very high part of the health pyramid will not get too affected by the crisis. I would even say, the most expensive camera you make it, the easier you will find a customer, yet probably not in any of these usual markets.
This rumor is odd, too many specs seemed to have been influenced by the requirements read on these forums, the tone just seems completely fake.
gilpen123
Gil
I can take a Nikon DRF APS size sensor anytime. I don't think a FF will be done at this time. It's a supply/demand issue. Nikon would be better testing the water with a not so expensive DRF. I suppose at a price of $ 1.5-2.0K there will be a lot of film enthusiasts who will go into the system. If not then a Bessa DRF will be more than welcome .